DRC Masisi: Civilian Deaths From Drone Attacks Reported

• A civil society group reported numerous civilian deaths and injuries in Masisi territory, North Kivu, due to recent clashes involving AFC/M23, FARDC, and Wazalendo groups.
• Some civilians were killed by 'kamikaze drone attacks,' while eight others were hit by stray bullets.
• Specific incidents include a drone strike killing a woman and child in Ufamandu II, and eight civilians killed in Burungu.
• Télesphore Mithondeke, a civil society rapporteur, called for investigations to establish responsibility and for adherence to international humanitarian law.
• The situation remains tense, with local sources attributing Monday's drone attacks to the AFC/M23 group, and military authorities have not yet responded to the reports.

He also appealed to all parties involved in the conflict to uphold and respect international humanitarian law, particularly concerning the protection of non-combatants.

Recent intense clashes involving the AFC/M23, FARDC, and Wazalendo groups have resulted in significant devastation across various localities within Masisi territory, North Kivu, over the past four days. A civil society organization, Forces vives de Masisi, issued a statement on Monday, September 28, detailing numerous civilian casualties, including both fatalities and injuries, alongside widespread population displacement. The report specifically highlights that some civilians perished in 'kamikaze drone attacks,' while an additional eight individuals were reportedly struck by stray bullets amidst the ongoing hostilities.

These incidents underscore a grave humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with Masisi civilian deaths drone attacks DRC becoming a prominent concern. The violence has not only claimed lives but also severely impacted the daily lives of residents, forcing many to flee their homes and disrupting essential services.

Télesphore Mithondeke, the General Rapporteur for Forces vives de Masisi, provided further details on specific incidents. He reported that a drone strike along the Kaleta-Bitoyi axis, located within the Ufamandu II groupement, tragically claimed the lives of a woman and a child. Furthermore, clashes reported on Saturday and Sunday on Kikonda hill, near Nyabiondo, led to two women sustaining gunshot wounds in Kahutu village, one of whom was pregnant.

Mithondeke also confirmed that separate confrontations in Burungu, situated in the Bashali chiefdom, resulted in the deaths of eight civilians. These accounts paint a grim picture of the AFC/M23 FARDC Masisi casualties, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence, particularly from North Kivu drone strikes civilians.

In light of these severe civilian impacts, Télesphore Mithondeke has urgently called for comprehensive investigations to be launched, aiming to establish accountability for the reported deaths and injuries. He also appealed to all parties involved in the conflict to uphold and respect international humanitarian law, particularly concerning the protection of non-combatants. The escalating violence has also severely disrupted essential services, including school activities in multiple areas of Masisi territory, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

The civil society group noted significant population displacements and a deteriorating overall humanitarian situation, highlighting the urgent need for a Télesphore Mithondeke Masisi investigation into these grave events and adherence to DRC international humanitarian law Masisi.

The situation remained highly volatile on Tuesday, September 29, across several localities in both Masisi and Walikale territories. This followed reports of drone attacks on Monday, September 28, which local sources attributed to the AFC/M23 group. In Botoyi, within Masisi territory, local sources indicated that at least four civilians were killed and another person was seriously injured.

Separately, in Pinga, located in Walikale territory, a school was reportedly destroyed near the local airfield. As of the publication of the civil society's report, military authorities had not yet issued any public statement or reaction regarding the information presented by Forces vives de Masisi.

This report highlights potential violations of international humanitarian law in the DRC, prompting lawyers to monitor for future investigations or accountability mechanisms. Compliance officers should assess heightened human rights and operational risks for entities operating in or connected to the Masisi region.

Source: Reporting based on civil society accounts from the DRC.